{Chapter 7}
As Kennedy had suspected he would be given promo work until his hand healed. He was taken off of house shows due to the injury as well. With his newfound free time he decided to look into labs that could do the test that Isabella wanted.
He had just gotten off the phone with a lab that seemed promising and decided to give Isabella a call. The phone rang a couple of times before she answered. “Hey, Izzy,” he said happily. “It’s Ken.”
“Hi, Ken,” she replied, though it was evident that she had been crying. He could hear her sniffling.
“What’s wrong,” he asked.
“It’s nothing,” she said and yelped in pain.
“Izzy, I know we’ve only just met, but you’re in pain and crying. What’s going on,” he demanded.
Isabella cursed under her breath. She hated having to admit this to him. “My ex-husband was here when I got home today,” she said trying hard to keep her voice even. “Turns out he saw me leave with you a couple of days ago. When I didn't come home that night...he thinks I’m sleeping with you.”
“So, didn’t you guys get divorced like five years ago,” Kennedy asked.
“He doesn’t give up easily,” Isabella replied. “I made the mistake of trying to explain who you were to him when he was drunk or high or both.”
“What’d he do,” Kennedy asked.
“He smacked me around a bit,” she replied softly. “He bolted when I managed to get to the phone and started calling the police.”
“What’d the police say,” Kennedy asked, wanting to kill the bastard for assaulting her.
“I hung up when he left,” she admitted. “They never do much of anything and then he just comes back angrier. I’ve learned that if I value my life...just let it go.”
“Let it go,” Kennedy yelled. “He fucking assaulted you, Izzy.”
“Just let it go, Ken,” Isabella sighed.
“Izzy, he hit you,” he replied. “No man has a right to treat a woman that way.”
“I can deal with him,” she replied. “I just need to change my locks again.”
“What good is that going to do,” Kennedy demanded. “If he got in before he’ll get in again. You’re not safe with him around. I’m booking a flight for you to come stay with me and Cindy for a while.”
“I can’t just pack up and leave,” Isabella fumed. “I have a job and…”
“And a psychopath for an ex who is going to snap one day and kill you,” Kennedy replied. “Please don’t argue with me on this. Besides while you’re out here we can have that test done.”
“What about your job,” she asked with sigh. She sensed that Kennedy was not one to argue with once he had made his mind up.
“I only have to show up for Raw on Mondays until my hand heals,” he replied looking at the bandage with disdain. “Come on, Izzy. Come stay with Cindy and me. It’ll put my mind at ease knowing you’re safe.”
Isabella looked around her apartment and sighed. She really didn’t have much to stick around for. Aside from her cat and a few neighbors she really didn’t have any friends, having distanced herself from the ones she used to hang out with when she had gotten married. She was sure she could take Meepers over to Mrs. Stratford to be taken care of. She had a couple of cats herself and always loved Meepers.
“All right,” she replied.
Kennedy smiled, opening up his laptop and booking the flight as they spoke. He gave her the flight info and got off the phone so that she could pack. With a sigh he hung up the phone, his blood still boiling.
“Isabella’s coming to stay with us,” Cindy asked having overheard the conversation as she sat on the couch reading.
“Yeah,” Kennedy replied taking a seat next to her and resting his head on her shoulder. “Her bastard ex-husband slapped her around. I swear he’s lucky I wasn’t there because I would have really let him have it.”
“I know you would have,” Cindy said wrapping an arm around his shoulders and rubbing his shoulder. “When does her flight get in?”
“Seven,” Kennedy replied absentmindedly digging at his bandage.
“Quit that,” Cindy said setting aside her book and smacking his hand.
“It’s itchy,” he whined.
“Go make yourself useful and fix up the guest room for Isabella,” she said, smacking his hand again as he began to dig at the bandage.
“Fine,” he replied, pouting as he stood and headed to the linen closet for some fresh sheets.
~*~
Isabella looked at her reflection in the airport bathroom mirror. She had gone to check her make up. With a frown she saw that the cover up was not working on the large bruise along her jaw.
“Thanks for the souvenir, Jakob,” she grumbled tossing her make up back into her purse and exiting the bathroom. She hoped that Kennedy wouldn’t notice the bruise, but deep down she knew he would.
She found Kennedy easily enough and knew he was giving her the once over to survey the damage. He looked happy to see her though he frowned at the sight of her jaw. He could tell she had tried to cover up the bruise, but it had not worked well. From her chin practically to her ear was a large purple bruise.
“Come on,” he said holding out his good hand to take her bag. “Cindy’s waiting.” She handed over the bag and followed him out of the terminal.
They drove home in silence, Isabella sitting looking out the window, her head pressed against the cool glass. Kennedy would cast glances at her now and again, but didn’t know what to say. He did know one thing…he was going to hurt the man responsible for hurting Isabella. If he ever came face to face with the scumbag he would make him regret the day he ever laid a hand on her.
“This is home,” he said turning off the car and getting out. He grabbed Isabella’s bags and helped her out of the passenger seat.
“So, this wrestling thing pays well, huh,” she asked smirking as she gazed at the two story house.
“You could say that,” Kennedy replied smiling. “Come on, Cindy’s been dying to meet you.”
Isabella followed Kennedy into the house. Just as they entered a petite woman with long black hair greeted them. Her sky blue eyes lit up when she saw Kennedy and then Isabella. She went to Kennedy, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
“You must be Isabella,” she said holding out her hand. If she had seen the bruise on Isabella's jaw she showed no signs of it. “I’m…”
“Cindy Hardy, also known as the love of my life,” Kennedy finished for her.
“Hardy? As in…Jeff,” Isabella asked as she shook Cindy’s hand.
“He’s my cousin,” Cindy said smiling. “You haven’t met Matt yet. He’s the more sane one in the family.” Isabella couldn’t help chuckling. “Well, come on,” she said taking the bag from Isabella. “I’ll show you to your room.”
She took Isabella’s hand and began leading her away. “Is she always this pushy,” Isabella called over her shoulder to Kennedy.
Kennedy chuckled and nodded. “Since the day I met her,” he replied. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.”
“Ken, darling, you better watch what you say or you’ll be sleeping on the couch,” Cindy called as she continued up the stairs toward the guest bedroom. They could hear Kennedy cursing under his breath and both women chuckled.
“So, how long have you and Ken been together,” Isabella asked once inside the guestroom. Cindy was helping her unpack a little.
“Going on two years now,” Cindy replied hanging up some things in the closet.
“Can I ask…why,” Isabella asked setting some things in a drawer. Cindy just chuckled. “I take it you get that a lot.”
“Yeah,” Cindy replied still chuckling. “I can’t explain it, really. He’s just…charming.”
“Honey,” Kennedy bellowed up the stairs. “I think dinner is burning. It’s a shame too ‘cause it smelled good and I’m starving.”
“Oh yeah, charming,” Isabella replied with a smirk.
Cindy sighed, shaking her head. “It’s not burning,” she yelled as she came down the stairs. “You’re just trying to get me to serve dinner faster.”
Kennedy chuckled as he took a seat on the couch and turned on the television. “So, maybe I fibbed a little,” he replied. For the comment he got a smack upside the head as Cindy passed him. Isabella was right behind her and joined Kennedy on the couch. He scowled and rubbed his head.
“Serves you right,” Isabella snickered. “Not like you couldn’t stand to miss a meal or two.” She patted his belly with a chuckle.
“I will have you know that this is all muscle,” he replied pulling up his shirt.
“Save it for the girlfriend,” she snickered covering her eyes.
“Honey,” he whined. “Izzy’s making fun of me!” Isabella hid her face in a pillow, laughing.
“Grow up, Ken,” Cindy fired back from the kitchen. “Now stop bothering me. I’m trying to get dinner finished up. Whatever problem you and Izzy have…work it out for yourselves.”
“You’re supposed to take my side,” Ken groaned. “Honey, she’s calling me fat!”
“Am not,” Isabella said. “I just meant he was chubby.”
“IZZY,” Ken exclaimed. “Take it back!” Isabella shook her head no, sticking out her tongue at Kennedy. “Take it back!”
“Or what,” Isabella asked, ready to get to her feet and run.
“Or…I’ll have to…”
“Go on a diet,” Isabella teased, jumping up.
“That’s it,” Kennedy yelled getting to his feet. “You are so dead!”
“Cindy, save me,” Isabella giggled rushing into the kitchen. “The chubby man is going to kill me!”
“I am NOT chubby,” Kennedy growled. “Quit hiding behind Cindy!”
“Both of you stop,” Cindy yelled finally. “Get out of my kitchen! Good Lord! You would think you two were little kids the way you’ve been carrying on!” She shook her head tossing the potholders down onto the counter. “And Ken…Izzy’s right…you are chubby.” She smiled sweetly up at him as she pinched his belly lightly. “Now go wash up for dinner.”
Isabella had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud as she watched Kennedy sputter incoherently for a few moments. He finally grumbled something under his breath and headed off to wash up. Cindy turned her gaze on Isabella. “I was only messin’ with him,” she said smiling.
“I know,” Cindy replied with a smirk. “Dinner’s ready. You should go wash up too. That is…if you think you can handle Ken and his temper.” She smirked at Isabella.
“I think I can handle him,” she replied. “I can tell he’s all bark and no bite. Just a big teddy bear when it comes down to it.” Cindy nodded, smiling. With a nod Isabella headed out of the kitchen to wash up for dinner.
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